At the initial visit, Dr. Mortenson and his staff get to know the patient and family members, orienting them to our office and acquainting them to our practice philosophy. Dr. Mortenson then performs a thorough examination to determine if orthodontic treatment is needed. General questions regarding the fee and our payment options are discussed during the first appointment.

Diagnostic records are an important step in orthodontic treatment. These records include photographs, x-rays and models of the teeth. The information gathered from these records aids Dr. Mortenson as he works to determine an appropriate course of treatment for the patient. Dr. Mortenson then prepares a treatment plan specifically designed to address the patient’s orthodontic needs and requests.

This appointment provides an opportunity for the patient and members of their family to meet with Dr. Mortenson and discuss the proposed treatment plan. During this appointment, we finalize the financial agreement if it has not already been done. This can be a separate appointment or included in the Initial Placement of Appliance visit.

This first appointment of active treatment usually requires one to two hours for placement of the appliance(s) and/or braces with time to review instructions for the care and cleaning of the appliance(s). Due to the length of this appointment, Dr. Mortenson and his staff generally schedule this appointment in the morning or early afternoon.

This phase of treatment includes monthly adjustment visits (for patients in Comprehensive Treatment) and appliance adjustment visits (for patients in Phase I Treatment). These visits usually occur every three to six weeks and are approximately 20 minutes long. Periodic progress reports and records will be taken throughout the active period of treatment to ensure a high standard of quality and adherence to the patient’s individualized treatment plan.

Patients will return to our office one month after the retention appliance has been delivered. After that appointment, visits will typically take place every three to six months for up to a year. During the retention appointments, the retainer is examined, adjusted and corrected to ensure proper function. It is important that the patient follow Dr. Mortenson’s instructions on wearing the retention appliance in order to prevent relapse.

Before & After - See some great "Before and After" pictures from our patients.